Christians beheaded by ISIS sought refuge in Israel; an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier beaten by Israeli police; “Prodfather” Rabbi Mendel Epstein found guilty of conspiring to kidnap; and Skvere Hasidim celebrate a man who was convicted of attempted arson and assault. Meredith Ganzman reports on the Israeli Consulate in New York’s Yom Hazikaron celebration, and get a preview of Steven I. Weiss’ Up Close interview with Bloomberg News reporter Laura Colby, author of “Road to Power: How GM’s Mary Barra Shattered the Glass Ceiling.”

This week on Up Close, what makes Jews lose their sense of place? And what can give it back to them?

For Boston College Political Science Professor Alan Wolfe, the answer to where Jews should be comfortable is straightforward: in the diaspora, where they’ve primarily been for the past 2,000 years. We discuss his book, At Home in Exile: Why Diaspora is Good for the Jews.

And then, for Shira Dicker, finding comfort at an American college campus has been a bit of a challenge. She shares some of her experiences in a novella, The Jerusalem Lover.

A Palestinian teenager is recognized by Israel as a victim of terrorism; how Israelis feel about public transportation on the Sabbath; and the NYC subway ad that has ultra-Orthodox Brooklynites up in arms. Then, Rebecca Honig Friedman speaks to the author of A Good Place To Hide: How One French Community Saved Thousands of Lives During World War II, journalist Peter Grose; Meredith Ganzman gets the scoop on a new book about composer Cy Coleman in a segment from TJC’s theater show, Row J; and a preview from Steven I. Weiss’ Up Close interview with Boston College Political Science Professor Alan Wolfe, author of At Home in Exile: Why Diaspora is Good for the Jews.

We owe so much of what we know and think about our pasts and ourselves to archaeologists. Exploring what makes them tick and how hard it is to get their work done is Marilyn Johnson, author of Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble.

And then, artist Maira Kalman’s work has been a joyous discovery for many. But the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum turned the tables by asking her to dip into their collection and reveal what she finds delightul. Her book from that adventure is, My Favorite Things: Maira Kalman’s Illustrated Catalog of Unusual Objects, Memories, and Delight.

Prominent Jewish leaders in trouble with the law; rabbis write letters on behalf of convicted former Met Council CEO Willie Rapfogel; Meredith Ganzman reports on some of Broadway’s new offerings for the spring season; and a preview of next week’s Up Close interview with Marilyn Johnson, author of Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble.

In this week’s episode of Up Close, we look at political choices that can be viewed as controversial.

Minority voters have agreed on one thing since the days of FDR: in presidential elections, they vote for Democrats. But what about those who turn against that tide — what are they hoping for, and do they get there? Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Professor Leah Wright Rigueur explores the African-American community’s approach in The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power.

And then, one of the major political choices we make is about the question of choice. But The Nation columnist Katha Pollitt has some words for those who think they’re advocates for choice in Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights.

America today stands out as by far the country with the most individuals in jails and prisons. Why is that? What problems does it cause? What can we do about it? The University of Pennsylvania’s Marie Gottschalk discusses all of this in Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics.

And then, amid America’s history of special incarcerations, the imprisoning of certain ethnic groups during World War II is a major topic. Contributing Editor for Texas Monthly Jan Jarboe Russell discusses some fascinating parts of that story in The Train to Crystal City: FDR’s Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America’s Only Family Internment Camp During World War II.

Benjamin Netanyahu will remain Prime Minister with a coalition government of 67 Knesset members, including the new Kulanu party; but the Arab List did not accept Netanyahu’s apology for anti-Arab remarks he made leading up to the election – will American Jews? Meanwhile, TJC’s Christian Niedan reports on the business Beyond Conference that brought together American Jews and Israelis; Meredith Ganzman finds out what it’s like to be one of the 350 Jews in South Dakota; and we’ve got highlights from Steven I. Weiss’ Up Close interview with University of Pennsylvania’s Marie Gottschalk, author of Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics.

We tend to hear a lot of people telling others how to live their lives, emphasizing the need for “personal responsibility.” In this week’s episode of Up Close, we’ll move across 2,000 years of history to see some of the origins of that discussion and its costs today.

The philosopher Seneca is the original source of much of our dialogue around being self-made and pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps. But it turns out he was born into wealth and privilege. The University of Pennsylvania’s Emily Wilson explores that in her book, The Greatest Empire: A Life of Seneca.

And then, among those whom our society regards as taking the least personal responsibility are drug addicts, who are frequently treated like criminals. Journalist Johann Hari gives some reasons why they shouldn’t be in Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs.